Please Help Me Pull Law and Order SVU Off the Air w/ This Petition

As a survivor of sexual assualt, I am an adovacte for the fair treatment of survivors of abuse, rape and domestic violence. Because of this, I am passionate about pulling the show Law and Order SVU off of the air. It is too graphic, too gruesome and far too detailed. It triggers those with PTSD and serves no entertainment purpose. Please help me out and sign my petition:

As someone who studied law, I always found the show a little odd. My wife does watch this show though and has learned a lot about this area from the show. If anything (and I'm just being impartial here) the show works as a realization for many, about what happens in the world. I'm not arguing here, but for those of us, like my wife, who have been inspired by the show, it really does serve a purpose. She volunteered at battered women's shelters and is now studying human services to start a career where she can help people. The show is not art, it's not meant to be fun, but it does serve a purpose. It is doesn't promote violence, and I think the mission of the show might have been to create awareness and make victims feel like they can come forward and justice will be served. We all have our past experiences, many of which are horrific, but sometimes, our very efforts to hide from these things, and to make others avoid them will actually cause the very atrocities we suffered to happen again. For example, if a naive parent watches this show, they might realize that their child should not be on the internet unmonitored.

I don't mean to be insensitive here, but if it bothers you, don't watch it. I feel that the show is rather graphic at times, but that despite being an entertainment show, brings to light the terrible things that really do happen out in the world, and make a point to show the sensitivity of the victims, the fear they experience afterwards in regards to reporting the incident, and dealing with their lives afterwards. They can't just pull off every show that someone disagrees with; there would be nothing on TV ever if that were the case.

One particular episode is credited with giving the penn state victims the courage to come forward. Apparently, many of them thought it was normal until they saw an episode similar to the abuse they suffered. “Personal Fouls” was the episode. They then went on to create another episode featuring the actual case.

Some people find watching episodes that hit home something of a cathartic experience. Everyone's healing experience is different. The whole world can't revolve around a single groups issues. I'm not being insensitive, as I stated in my other answer I am also a survivor.

I fully agree with you anna. I mean I can not say that I understand what it must be like to be a survivor of sexual abuse, however to attempt to start a petition which has a large number of following and has been on for well over a decade, It makes money and quite honestly if every one got together to petition a show about a past event in their lives then we would all be left with pbs and sesame street.Let's face it, all types of media run the nation and to single out a single tv show? why not go after the music media and ALL of the artists out there that talk about beating hookers, killing people and just flat out beating people up. Oh let's not forget ALL of the author's and books out there that deal with some type of tragedy. What is next? I realize that this may sound cruel and more than likely it will be deleted but hey it is the truth. Petitions now a days are just like ambulance chasing lawsuits.

I also am a survivor. I for one, LOVE this show. Especially their new commercials that bring to light the seriousness of sexual assault and domestic abuse. I agree with everyone here saying turn it off. The show is on it's last few seasons anyway, but why punish everyone else because YOU have PTSD? I am so happy for you to have survived what is very traumatic and I hope you have discovered just how strong you truly are. But there are worse things out there, more graphic disturbing shows, than SVU. And those shows truly don't give an education, but SVU does. It's also entertaining.

It seems every other night of the week on every other channel this type of crappy show is on. Like a violence-ridden America really needs more of this garbage. But this is the kind of show that is getting ratings now, along with reality shows where people are yelling at each other, plotting, and destroying their own reputations. Sickening.

Kathleen, I don't like that show either, however -and not to be insensitive here- but if you find it too graphically intense or otherwise offensive, bothersome or distressing, just don't watch it. I have a medical condition that have made watching certain live action surgery and medical themed shows very unpleasant for me to bear, so I just turn the channel. I am truly sorry for your experience, but believe me, you can't let trauma control your life via a television show or it will control your life in every aspect.

Aren't you able to change the channel on your TV? Can't folks with PTSD change channels too?

I understand your reasons for being upset with the show. And support your right to try to gather enough like minded folks to put pressure on whatever network it is on. Or that network's advertisers.

What a great country we live in.

As for no entertainment value... bad shows that nobody watches get cancelled. I seem to recall that SUV has been on the air for quite a few years, (currently in its 15th season) - so somebody must think it has entertainment value. Or is entertainment purpose different from entertainment value?

But, do you really understand what you are trying to do - censor other people's choices? Is it your purpose to censor what others can watch just because it upsets you?

Why would you want to restrict other people's choices when yours is simply a reach of the thumb away?

I totally agree GA. Me personally I liked the original seasons with Mariska and Christopher. Now that Chris is gone I don't really watch it that much anymore. There are other things on that are more interesting to me. The chemistry really is not there anymore in my opinion. What people (consumers) don't understand is that there is no way that something as popular as the Dick Wolf drama series (Law & Order, SVU, etc.) will not go away with a petition. The only way that they will be going away is if the actors ask for a pay increase per show. I believe that Mariska is up to around $800k per episode. That is the last that I recall. So basically consumers are left with the choice to watch or change the station.

I understand your stress, Kathleen, it's not a show that I would watch, but the best way to deal with it is just to change the channel.

I had a female friend who, years ago, insisted on seeing violent movies, and she'd been the victim of a violent mugging that left her hospitalized. I got up my nerve to ask her why she watched those, in light of her experience, and she told me that it helped her feel as if her experience wasn't the only one out there. She felt somehow connected by seeing other victims. I didn't explain that as well as she explained it to me, but today, she's very well adjusted - married and she seems to have gotten past that need to view violence. I just wanted to interject that so you could see another side to the story. I'm sorry that show makes you feel badly - but perhaps just changing the channel will be the best thing for you.

Best that no one show you The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or the Eclipse chapter of Berserk, then. Because they actually are graphic and detailed, unlike the toothless play-it-safe bilge that is daytime crime drama.

Sadly, the only thing that gets shows pulled off the air is falling ratings. As long as the producers feel there are enough viewers to whom their advertisers can play, the show will stay on-air.And, equally sadly, there are multitudes of people who drool over these so-called "reality" shows. They are the modern equivalent of the old "true crime" magazines of the 1940's and 50's. It makes the viewers feel as if they have some kind of special knowledge about law and order or medicine. Pathetic, really, but those are the harsh facts.The only thing you can do to protect yourself is to not watch shows that bother you. If you can convince others to stop watching, so the ratings fall, that would be more effective than a petition.Best wishes.

Drooling over these so-called reality shows...? There is nothing "so-called" reality about this show. It is a legal and crime drama show. Nothing "true Crime" about it. Good ol' wiki calls it a "fictional version of the 16th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.

Also, the show and many of its actors have been nominated for Golden Globe and Emmy awards a ton of times. (again, courtesy of good ol' wiki)

Special knowledge? As in the general concept of how police work and forensics help solve crime? Or that a police force recognizes the horror of these types of crimes to the point of a creating special unit to solve them, (OK, that part may be "reality" as some real police departments have real SVUs)? I guess I better start watching - I like special knowledge.

I have to agree with some others here - turn it off if you don't like it. I believe, like other crime shows, it is a show. They have done some good as far as opening people's eyes to the horrors experienced by crimes of a sexual nature. I haven't watched it in years, but I did for the first several seasons. Sadly, this happens to many people and pulling a show off the air isn't going to do anything to prevent that. Having people who are inspired by the show to do something however could. I understand that certain shows could trigger PTSD, but that comes down to personal accountability. Don't watch something that could potentially trigger that response, but why try to make it so that others can't? I would understand if the show was advocating for sexual violence, but that isn't what the show is about.

I'm a survivor (childhood sexual abuse, ongoing), and I don't watch the show. It's as simple as that. Change the channel.

I am totally against censorship. Even though I can totally sympathize with the pain and PTSD, I would never sign such a petition.

If you can't handle commercials or even flashes of something, then don't watch TV, watch recorded shows or movies you know are safe.

Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder. No one is forced to watch these shows, just like no one afraid of zombies has to watch breaking bad, and no one with fear of snakes/bugs has to watch Fear Factor, if you're afraid of liberals don't watch MSN-BC.

No offense, but tv production companies aren't not for profit organizations. If it isn't making money for the network, it's as good as off the air. But do we really want to set a precedence like that (even if we could)? Do we next go after Salem to force it to support Witch organizations? Do we go after lifetime channel to make it support battered wives/murder victim survivors?

If the problem is children tuning in, then the issue is with the parents that can't control their children TV viewing habits. But still, I can think of a dozen of things that are way worse for a kid to be watching than L&O: SVU.

I really am very sorry for what you've been through, but if merely seeing a 30 second commercial for this show really sets you off, then I think you should seek counseling. I don't mean that to be condescending, I hope it doesn't come across that way. I just think if a small bit exposure to a show (and the commercials never put in the most graphic bits) upsets you that much, you would benefit from dealing with the heart of the issue and not the trigger. If it's not this show, something else will come along and serve the same purpose.

It's on prime time because people watch it, simple as that. Children shouldn't be randomly browsing channels without parental supervision, anyway. I don't recall ever just stumbling across disturbing TV shows as a kid, because I wasn't watching TV by myself at 8/9pm.

Anyway, I really do hope you find some peace. Unfortunately, I don't think you'll find it this way.

The show is actually very active in raising awareness of sexual assault and abuse awareness - read about it! I personally enjoy this show, and don't find it especially fair that you want it removed from the air. Though you have a personal conflict with it, many, many, many others do not (as proven by its ratings and 15 seasons of air time). I second Aime F in hoping that you find some peace of mind, but a petition will not convince NBC and the show's 10 million + viewers to pull it. Sorry!

As a survivor of years of sexual abuse and incest, I disagree with you. I will explain why. One day I was sitting at a friends house. The reruns come on after the midday news. We watched it. When it went often she looked at me and simply said "I'm sorry, I had no idea how bad you must still feel". That one crappy hour of TV made her realize how uncomfortable the life of a survivor can be. I may sound cold and hurtful but I promise that is not my intention with my next statement. I really think people need to move on. Someone who can not know there is a tv show about rape without feeling personaly bothered by it, even when not watching it, has not moved on. It's okay to not like it, not watch it, and wish you didn't have to see constant reminders, but to dictate what others do because it is too hard for you to face is unfair to others. Personally I find healing in these shows. As a parent I restrict what my children watch. The clips on commercials for the shows are minor. A spongebob commercial could be just as vulgar. Really I've seen a lot worse for some fast food commercials. I really am sorry for what you have been through, but please remember we do not all heal the same.

I appreciate peoples' opinions, but please don't tell me that I haven't moved on. You don't know me, you don't know what I have been through, so please do not judge me. I didn't post this in hopes to debate over stuff like this, I posted this so that people who felt similarly knew that there was a petition they could sign. That is all.

I am going to sign your petition. I don't have PTSD and I am highly bothered by the show and its ilk. It is normal to be affected by the things you watch. Don't know why anyone would want to sit through an hour of graphic violence after a hard day's work, dealing with traffic, the jerks of the world, etc.

Does no good to just keep dosing yourself with negativity. Doesn't anyone watch travel shows or anything relatively peaceful for goodness sake?

Kathleen, I really didn't mean to be harsh. I don't know you. But I do know me, and it does me no good to stop the public from seeing what others like me go through. Every moment of air time it is given is a moment that might help someone. While in the same sense it could hurt some, those could choose not to watch. I prefer the option of keeping something on the air that may help others. Again there was no intent of being hurtful or hateful, simply my opinion just as you had stated yours.

Freedom of expression is freedom of expression on both parts. You have the right to dislike it, and they have the right to produce and broadcast it. Most people seem to think that it creates awareness. It bothers me that you would like to reduce that awareness and/or curb someones freedom of expression.

You shouldn't just pick on one show. There are other sexual and graphic shows on the tube. I suggest that you not watch it or them, keep your children from watching them and find more enjoyable programs to watch like family and ministry programs. I just don't watch such programs. There are also movies and programs that give people the wrong ideas. People commit crimes in life because of what they saw on tv. It's sad so, I'm on your side K.

That's nothing compared to other actors. The cast of Big Bang Theory makes $1 million per episode each, and so did the cast of Friends back in the day. Others that made $1 million or more per episode were Seinfeld, Tim Allen ($1.25), Ray Romano and Charlie Sheen ($1.8).

SVU seems like a fairly well written, well produced show, as tv shows go...

Have you ever watched Duck Dynasty? I tried sitting through an episode and lasted about ten minutes. Trying to understand those brain dead hillbillies was torture, there's more intelligence in Hee-Haw.

Kathleen.....I don't know how this got past me 10 mos ago when you first posted it, but I have just now stumbled upon it.OK, I admit it, I'm a little surprised as well as confused by your forum topic/request.. You know I am a fan of yours and positively love your writing, so I feel safe in being quite frank with you.I cannot speak from experience on the pain and trauma you must deal with and my heart does go out to you and all women in this situation.However, I am all for freedoms of every sort, to include our freedom to choose. I cannot help but realize that we would have perhaps 3 or 4 programs to view 24/7....if in fact, all shows that can upset and offend people were pulled from the air. I've no doubt you realize this since I have faith in your high level of intelligence. The truth is that there are shows I simply cannot watch due to the severe personal discomfort & grief they cause me, so I do understand your position.Law & Order SVU actually is no worse or more graphic nor violent than so many many other TV shows. Sadly it is so "real life," that a majority of the episodes are taken from authentic case histories.These shows, despite what I have just acknowledged can also be helpful and educational in terms of awareness. In fact, unlike real life, these episodes end with the dastardly perpetrator receiving his just punishment. That is always a plus.Few individuals would blame you for refusing to watch this and surely you are not expected to sing it's praises, but I have to say that it is too good a show and valuable in several ways, for a good deal of the public, to consider for cancellation. Thank you for this post, Kathleen.

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